REDMOND WEST LITTLE LEAGUE
2004 Local Rules
AAA
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General Rules and Regulations
Of
Redmond West Little League
AAA
Revised a/o March 14, 2004
Rules Updates/Revisions/Clarifications
Noted Throughout Text as [year/authority]
e.g. [1998 RWLL] or [1998 LL] (Little League Baseball Congress)]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section One
I. PRESIDENT
DUTIES 2
II. BOARD
DUTIES 2
III. MANAGER
COMMITTEE DUTIES 4
IV. PLAYER
AGENT DUTIES 4
V. COMPLEX
MANAGERS 6
VI. MANAGER
RESPONSIBILITIES 8
VII. TEAM
MEETING HANDOUT FOR PARENTS 10
VIII. SCOREKEEPER 13
IX. UMPIRES 15
Section Two
X. AAA
PLAYER ASSESSMENT 15
XI. TEAM
SIZE 15
XII. AAA
TEAM FORMATION 15
XIII. TRADING
PLAYERS 16
XIV. FILLING
AAA VACANCIES DURING SEASON 16
Section Three
XV. RULES
THAT AFFECT PLAYING THE GAME 16
A. Team Responsibilities 16
B. General Rules 17
XVI. STANDINGS 20
XVII. RECOGNITION 20
Section One
GENERAL
Except to the extent modified
herein, Redmond West Little League (RWLL) will operate in accordance with the
Official Little League Regulations and Playing Rules. These rules are effective on and after January 4, 1999, unless
amended by the Board of Directors or modified by action of Little League
Baseball, Inc. Redmond West Little
League is governed by regulations listed by priority as follows:
Little
League Baseball Official Regulations and Playing Rules
Little
League Operating Manual
District
9 Administrator's Interpretations and Rules
RWLL
Local League Rules and Regulations
No rule or policy may be passed
by RWLL which is in direct conflict with rules and regulations contained in
publications of a higher priority.
All rules, policies, and
procedures are subject to interpretation of the intent of the rule by the Board
of Directors.
Proposed changes to these rules
and regulations for the following season must be submitted in writing to RWLL by November 30. Board approved rule/regulation changes shall be effective no
later than March 1 (playing rules may
not be revised after March 1 for the upcoming season).
I. PRESIDENT DUTIES
Fall
The President shall insure that
the District Administrator ("DA") receives a list of the current
Board Members/Officers, the League's Charter and Insurance Application,
Boundary Changes, Articles of Incorporation and Bylaw revisions (or
notification of no change), the League's Financial Statement, a copy of IRS
990, Minutes, the League's District Assessment, request for fund-raiser (if
having one) and a request for adult pitch at the Slugger level.
Winter
The President shall insure that
the District Administrator receives a copy of approved rule changes, numbers of
teams at each level, rosters of all teams, Player Waiver requests, a copy of
the playing schedule, a copy of the Non-Profit Corporate Annual Report, and a
request for city playoffs (if applicable).
IN ADDITION, THE PRESIDENT SHALL INSURE that sufficient rulebooks are
ordered for Managers, Scorekeepers and Umpires.
Spring
The
President shall insure all-star pins and hats and "12 year old recognition
gifts" are ordered. Confirm that
all post-season Tournament Teams’ Managers and the Coast Invitational Manager
are aware of meetings and have necessary balls and equipment. Assure that Umpires are available for Coast
tournament. Send roster of
newly-elected Board Members to District.
Insure final team standings are recorded in the Minutes. Insure youth Umpires receive an honorarium.
II. BOARD DUTIES
Fall
A. Per RWLL Bylaws, a Rules
Committee shall be appointed to review the rules and consider proposed
changes. The Rules Committee shall
present recommended changes to the Board no later than December 31. No "playing" rule change shall be
allowed after March 1.
B. Each Board Member/Chairperson shall maintain a
notebook containing information relevant to his/her position. This notebook shall be considered the
property of RWLL and shall be turned over to the Board Elect prior to September
30.
C. A Board Member/Chairperson who is allotted a budget
shall not exceed his/her budget without permission from the Board. Excess expenditures, which do not have Board
approval, may be considered donations to RWLL.
D. The Board shall set participation and membership fees
prior to November 30. Full refunds
shall be made available to Players who resign from the League prior to two
weeks after the League's first scheduled practice. 50% refunds shall be made available to Players who resign prior
to two weeks after the League's first scheduled game.
E. The Board shall work with the schools, Parks
Department, and other community agencies to coordinate dates and locations for
registration, tryouts, drafts, General Meetings, training sessions (coach,
umpire, score keeping, field prep), practices, games, and things of this
nature. Care should be taken when
selecting dates that the date chosen is not in conflict with major community
events such as Voting, Outdoor Ed, Super Bowl Sunday, Hartman Work Day and
other events of this nature.
F. Use of Lake Washington School facilities requires
obtaining a School Use Permit from the building involved. Facilities may not be reserved unless the
League has proper insurance.
"Extras" such as tables, chairs, bleachers up or down, drop
cloth up or down (in the gym), etc., must be specifically stated on the
permit. The League official in charge
of the event must insure that the School Use Permit is available for inspection
at the event.
G. A calendar of events shall be developed allowing for
adequate time between notice of registration dates, registration, setting of
number of teams and number of Players per team, tryouts and assessments,
drafts, the first day of practice, and the first game.
H. The Board shall establish a date by which the number
of teams to be formed shall be set.
This date should not be any earlier than two weeks after the last
official date of registration nor any later than one week prior to the first
Majors tryout date. The number of teams
and the maximum number of Players to be carried on a team shall be determined
by a 2:1 ratio of Minors to Majors teams.
Winter
A. The Board shall appoint a safety officer who shall
become familiar with and assist the League with following National Little
League safety guidelines with respect to fields, equipment, practice
techniques, etc., as outlined in the "PLAY IT SAFE" pamphlet and
other League publications.
B. The Board shall insure that aggressive steps are
taken to obtain volunteer umpires, scorekeepers, and coaches. A list of volunteers shall be made available
to the Managers prior to formation of teams.
C. The Board shall review the Manager Commitment Form
with all Managers and obtain signed commitments and record checks.
D. The Board shall take steps to insure that equipment
and uniforms will be ready for distribution on a timely basis. In addition, it shall determine that
adequate training opportunities are available for Managers/Coaches, Umpires,
Scorekeepers, Field Prepares, and Fund-raising Reps. The Board shall also insure that RWLL is following through on its
joint league responsibility with other Redmond leagues (Concession Stand or
Hartman Park Operations). Practice
fields shall be divided in such manner as to be fair to all teams within a
level, a playing schedule shall be prepared, and a date shall be set for team
pictures.
E. The Board shall set the number of games for each
level of play and shall define the method for determining end of season
standings. Particular attention shall
be paid to the steps for breaking ties and the issue regarding whether or not
end of season rainout games shall be played if standings are not affected. FORMAT INFORMATION SHALL BE SUBMITTED IN
WRITTEN FORM TO EACH MANAGER WHO SHALL THEN BE RESPONSIBLE FOR INSURING THAT
EACH TEAM MEMBER IS AWARE OF THE FORMAT.
F. “The Board shall schedule a
mandatory Orientation for all Majors and Minors Managers and Coaches. The Orientation shall include, Manager
selection results, introduction of Board Members, review of Rules and
Regulations, projected number of teams, number of games, additional training
clinics, etc..
Spring
The Board shall aggressively
seek candidates to fill Board and chairperson positions for the following
season and shall insure that the membership receives notification of election
dates.
III. MANAGER COMMITTEE DUTIES
A. The Committee shall gather Manager/Coach applications
received over the Summer and early Fall.
In addition it shall take possession of Player/Parent generated
Manager/Coach evaluation forms. Should
there not be enough applicants to fill the anticipated number of teams, the
Committee shall take steps to encourage further applications.
1. The Committee shall review the
evaluations and applications and shall solicit verbal evaluations from a
representative number of team members, parents, Complex Managers, Umpires, and
other appropriate individuals. In
addition the Committee should interview the Manager candidates.
2. The Committee shall assess
all new and returning candidates on
their ability to teach baseball and good sportsmanship, on their interpersonal
skills both on and off the field, on their willingness to actively support RWLL
and on their knowledge of baseball. The
Committee shall make a determination regarding whether the candidate is
qualified.
3. The Committee shall review the list of
potential Managers and Coaches with the Player Agent prior to final selection
to assure that giving the prospective Manager/Coach a team assignment would not
cause his/her child-Player to be “held-down.”
All Players, whether their Parents are Managers or Coaches, are to play
at the highest level (Majors, Coast, AAA) appropriate to the Player’s age and
talent. (See Section One, IV, B, 1.)”
B. Appointment and approval of all returning and new
Managers and Coaches are the responsibility of the President and the
Board.
C. To the extent possible AAA Managers shall be
recommended from the pool of qualified Managers who are parents of 9
year olds.
D. The list of qualified Coach candidates shall be made
available to the Managers.
E. Members of the Manager Committee shall work with the
Player Agent and Umpires to review and resolve parent/player/manager/coach
conflicts. The Committee shall make
recommendations to the Board regarding disciplinary action.
F. Should a Manager resign during the course of the
season the Committee shall recommend a replacement to the President for
appointment and to the Board for approval.
G. Replacement Managers for the Coast Invitational must
come from the ranks of the Coast or AAA Managers or Coaches who were listed on
a roster as a regular season Manager or Coach.
[DISTRICT RULE]
H. Before the conclusion of the season the Committee
shall distribute, collect and turn over to the new Board:
1. Manager/Coach Evaluations from
all Parents of all Teams at the Slugger through Majors levels.
2. Manager/Coach application forms
from all interested prospective Managers and Coaches (Applications shall be solicited from current Managers/Coaches as
well as other interested Parents.
IV. PLAYER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
DUTIES
The
Registrar and the Player Agent shall both be under the supervision of the 1st
Vice President. The primary
responsibility of the Registrar is to conduct the entire registration process,
from the initial public announcements to the actual league sign-ups. The objective is to encourage as many children
to register for Little League as possible.
The primary role of the Player Agent is as the “Players Advocate”. The Player Agent oversees the formation of
teams at all levels and assures that the children play baseball in a nurturing
and positive environment. [1997 RWLL]
A. The Board shall insure that the Player Agent has
given adequate notice regarding registration.
A minimum of two registration dates should be set, about a week apart
and not on the same day of the week.
Inadequate advertisement results in late registrants which delays
setting the number of teams.
Flyers
and mailings should include boundaries, fee or donation information, and
specific information regarding acceptable proof of birth documentation. New Players, those trying out for Majors,
and those who do not have acceptable proof of birth on file must bring it to
registration or tryouts.
1. Current members should be
notified by mail.
2. Local schools (public and
private) should be contacted in October regarding possibility of placing
registration information in newsletters.
3. Two flyers should be sent home
at each public school (about two weeks apart).
Different schools have different days they send flyers home. The Lake Washington School District must
approve all flyers before schools will mail them to the student’s homes (clip
flyers in packs of 30 -- one pack for each class).
4. Call current members who do not
re-register by mail.
5. Call Eastside Journal and
TCI regarding placing information in calendar/public access (do this at
least three weeks in advance of when it is to appear).
B. The following information must be given to potential
applicants either by mail (for returning Players) or at registration.
1. All Players ages 9-12 shall
attend the Tryouts/Player Assessments and shall be evaluated for selection to
the highest appropriate level as indicated in the general guidelines
below. Whether to place a Player in
AAA, Coast or Majors shall be determined after consideration of the Player’s
evaluation at the League’s Tryouts/Player Assessments, review of the Player’s
evaluation by the Manager of the team he/she played for the previous year and,
ultimately, by his/her actual selection in the League’s Draft process.
Parents
who want their sons/daughters to play at a specific level must contact the
Player Agent personally prior to the scheduled Tryouts/Player Assessments to
receive further instructions regarding procedures to follow to be allowed an
exception. Because Little League rules
expressly do not allow coaches or parents to “hold-down” Players (e.g.,
arbitrarily placing an 11-year old at Coast or a 10-year old at AAA) such
exceptions will be allowed only in extraordinary circumstances. [1998 RWLL]
Player Agent Age Guidelines [1998 RWLL]
|
Level |
Player’s Little League Age* (*Age as of July 31 of current playing season) |
|
T-Ball
(hit off Tee) |
5,
6 and 7-year olds (first year players) |
|
Sluggers
(Coach-pitch) |
7
and 8-year olds |
|
AAA
- “Minors” |
8,
9 and 10-year olds (8s only if slots available) |
|
Coast
- “Minors” |
8,
9, 10, 11 and 12-year olds (8s and 9s are discouraged) |
|
Majors |
10,
11 and 12-year olds (10s are discouraged) |
1
5 and 6-year olds must
play T-Ball. [1998 RWLL]
1
7-year olds may play
T-Ball or Sluggers (2nd year Players strongly encouraged to play Sluggers.)
1
8-year olds may be
considered for AAA or Coast, but they must attend the Tryouts/Player
Assessments, there must be “slots available” for 8-year olds at Minors, and
they must be drafted to a Minors team.
Exceptional 8-year olds may try out for Coast but should be discouraged
if they do not have AAA experience. [1998
RWLL]
1
9 year olds must play at
AAA. Exceptions: 1)
in well-documented cases in which medical or other safety reasons, make
Sluggers a more appropriate choice.
2) exceptional 9-year olds may
try out for Coast but should be discouraged if they do not have AAA experience.
1
10-year olds play at
Coast. Those not drafted to a Coast
team are placed in the AAA pool and are then drafted to AAA teams. Exceptional 10-year olds may tryout for
Majors, but are strongly discouraged from doing so.
1
11-year olds and 12-year
olds are automatically considered candidates for Majors. Those who are not drafted to Majors teams
are placed in the Coast pool and are then drafted to Coast teams. An 11-year old who wants to play AAA may do
so only after participating in the “Minors’ Assessments”, and only if all Coast
managers agree that he/she should be considered a AAA Player (this is only for
an exceptionally “weak” Player and/or where medical or other safety reasons
dictate such.)
2.
Parents shall be
notified that the League shall make no attempt to consider family relations
with respect to Team assignments unless specifically requested in writing. The League shall consider special
circumstances, but makes no guarantees regarding placement (T-Ball and Sluggers
Players may list one or two friends with whom they would like to play.
3.
Players must receive a
written description of the League’s “move-up” policy.
2.
The Player Agent shall
notify Minor level candidates of the date and time of "Minor
Assessment" night.
2.
The Player Agent shall
notify all parents/guardians that by registering their Player they are
automatically members of the League and as such are expected to adhere to the
rules of the League, clean up the area around the bleachers at the conclusion
of their games and actively volunteer in at least one other capacity.
2.
Parents shall be
notified that Players who miss three consecutive practices in the preseason
without notifying the Manager may be dropped from the roster. Players missing three consecutive games
and/or practices during the regular season without notifying the Manager may
also be dropped from the roster.
C. The Player Agent may, in EXCEPTIONAL CASES, consider
a Player's request to not be drafted by a certain team or Manager. If the situation warrants, the Player
Agent shall privately notify the Manager of the Player's request. Such notification shall be made at the
draft. A parent may make a single request that a manager or coach not draft
their child, only if that player played for that manager or coach in the
past. Both the player agent and the
president must approve any exception.
[2000 RWLL]
The Player Agent shall oversee
TRYOUTS, MINOR ASSESSMENTS AND FORMATIONS OF TEAMS.
D. Player concerns shall be
directed to the Player Agent. The
Player Agent shall first encourage the parties involved to try to work through
the problem. If this is not feasible
then the Player Agent may make attempts to mitigate the problem and may solicit
assistance from the Manager Committee.
The Player Agent must notify the Board if the problem involves a rule
violation.
E. The Player Agent shall determine whether it is
appropriate to release Players once listed on a roster. Players, so released, shall be released in
writing to the last known address, return receipt requested. The Player Agent shall determine if a
replacement Player is necessary, and if so, oversee the replacement process.
F. The Player Agent shall obtain from each Manager a
rating/ranking form for all 8-11 year old Players. These evaluation forms shall be turned over to the new Player
Agent, shall NOT be photocopied and shall only be made available for
review by Managers in the following season as a tool for assessing Players.
V. COMPLEX MANAGERS
Complex Managers shall be under
the supervision of the 2nd Vice President.
The primary job of the Complex Manager is to insure that the Players are
playing in a safe environment. Other
duties shall include insuring that we are in compliance with our agreement with
the Parks Department, the concession stand has supervision, and that our
equipment is properly cared for.
A. Complex Managers shall take care of their keys and
report lost keys immediately to the President.
LOST KEYS MAY RESULT IN HAVING TO RE-KEY ALL THE LOCKS AT THE PARK. Complex Managers must turn in all keys at
the end of the season.
B. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMPLEX MANAGER TO
ARRANGE FOR A SUBSTITUTE IF HE OR SHE CANNOT BE IN ATTENDANCE AT HIS/HER
ASSIGNED TIMES. IF NO COMPLEX MANAGER
SHOWS UP ON A WEEKNIGHT, ANY PERSON WITH KEYS MAY PERFORM THE LISTED
DUTIES. HOWEVER, ONCE THE PERSON HAS
TAKEN IT UPON THEMSELVES TO UNLOCK BUILDINGS, IT IS THAT PERSON'S
RESPONSIBILITY TO INSURE THAT PARK IS CLOSED PROPERLY AT THE END OF THE DAY (NO
BUCK PASSING). ON WEEKENDS EACH COMPLEX
MANAGER MUST CONFIRM THAT THE SHIFT MANAGER SCHEDULED TO FOLLOW HAS ARRIVED OR
THAT ANOTHER LEAGUE HAS TAKEN POSSESSION OF THE FIELDS.
C. Complex Managers shall assure that the Players are
playing in a safe environment and atmosphere.
1. Games shall be terminated if
weather makes play unsafe. Games shall
be canceled if there is thunder and lightning.
2.
Complex Managers shall be
familiar with discipline steps outlined in the Bylaws and shall enforce removal
of any person who jeopardizes the safety of the Players, an Umpire or any other
person (President shall be notified of
all removed fans, Players, Managers, Coaches, etc.).
3.
Complex Managers shall not
leave until all Players have a way home.
4.
Wall ball, skateboards,
and bicycles are prohibited in the Park.
5.
The “on-deck” position has
been eliminated by Little League. The
so-called on-deck batter shall not swing a bat—this prohibition extends to the
Hartman Park fields, despite the fact that the dugouts include an enclosed
cage. [1996 LL]
6.
Pitchers and catchers who
are warming up are to follow Little League guidelines.
7.
Children under 16 years of
age are not allowed in the Majors score booth unless under the direct
supervision of an adult in the booth (there have been thefts from the umpire
room). Children under 16 should not be
allowed in the concession stand.
D. Buildings are to be unlocked 60 minutes prior to game
time and locked after the final game.
This includes upper bathrooms, lower bathrooms, equipment room if games are scheduled on
lower fields, batting cages, Coast building, score booths on fields 2 and 4,
lime sheds beside the concession stand, and Majors score booth. Once RBA has started, upper bathrooms do not
need to be locked.
E. Uniform room and equipment room are not to be
unlocked.
F. Raise shutters in score booths (be familiar with
operation of scoreboard controls).
Insure control panels are returned to Majors score booth at end of day
and that the trash has been removed.
G. If less than 8 sacks of lime are in the lower field
equipment shed, then notify Chief Complex Manager.
H. The Complex Manager should check in with the
concession workers about every 1/2 hour
to answer questions. Problems should be
noted in designated place.
I. Complex Managers shall be familiar with proper field
preparation techniques including operation of "quick connect" hoses
and shall insure that all tools and bases are properly put away at the end of
day.
J. Complex Managers shall insure that games start on
time and that the appropriate time limits are adhered to, as per the current
rules (see “Playing Times” in Section Three, “Rules That Affect Playing The
Game”).
K. Complex Managers shall be familiar with the procedure
to follow if a game is called due to rain.
L. Complex Managers shall be familiar with whom to
contact to reschedule rain-out games, games postponed due to lack of Players,
and tie games.
M. The Complex Managers shall insure that each team has
properly replaced base plugs and cleaned the stands, dugout and score booth
before leaving. Teams leaving a mess
shall be reported to the President or Vice President and may lose playing
privileges at Hartman Park.
VI. MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES
Managers and Coaches shall
attend a mandatory League Orientation.
The Board shall insure that Managers are familiar with Little League
Rules, RWLL policies and “Local Rules” and that applicable policies are
communicated to the parents at a team meeting to be held prior to the start of
practices. This parents' meeting shall
be held at such time and place and under such circumstances that the parents
can give the Manager their undivided attention. Experience has shown that informed parents are more inclined to
help out.
A. Manager/Coach Commitment and Limited Records
Checks. The Board shall insure that
Managers and Coaches have thoroughly reviewed and understand the Commitment
forms. MANAGER COMMITMENT FORMS AND
LIMITED RECORDS CHECKS SHALL BE SIGNED AND TURNED IN PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT.
Managers
are responsible for insuring all Coaches are listed on their rosters and that
only rostered Coach are on the field at games and practices. [1997 RWLL]
B. Communication. Managers are responsible for keeping parents informed of
meetings, picture dates, opening day ceremonies, fund-raisers, etc. A Director who is appointed to act as a
communications Liaison represents each level on the Board; the Liaison shall be
introduced at the Managers/Coaches League Orientation. [1997 RWLL]
C. Team
Notification. Managers shall be
informed that all draft information is confidential in nature, especially
confidential is the Players’ Tryout Rankings and the draft round in which a
Player was selected. NO MANAGER SHALL
RELEASE TEAM ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION UNTIL AFTER A TIME DETERMINED AND ANNOUNCED
BY THE PLAYER AGENT. SHOULD TEAM
ASSIGNMENTS BE LEAKED, THE MANAGER RESPONSIBLE SHALL BE SUSPENDED (MAY NOT BE
AT THE PARK) FOR THE FIRST LEAGUE GAME.
D. Discipline Policy. Managers shall create a discipline policy (may wait until team is
formed so Players can help create a plan).
Plans that include more than "time out" must be submitted to
the Board for approval. ALL PLANS MUST
BE COMMUNICATED TO PARENTS IN WRITING. Belittling or embarrassing a Player is not
allowed. Moreover, reducing game playing time below the required
number of innings is not allowed without approval of the Player Agent and
notification to the Player and the Player’s Parents.
E. Training.
Managers are expected to attend training sessions and to encourage
Coaches and other team volunteers to obtain appropriate training.
F. Safety.
Managers shall be familiar with and follow the safety checklist on the
inside of the back cover of the Little League Official Regulations and Playing
Rules book. The League appoints each
year a Safety Officer who shall be introduced at the Managers/Coaches League
Orientation.
1. Managers are expected to either
have first aid training or attend the first aid clinic. Managers will insure that properly signed
Medical Release forms are at each practice or game. In addition, the Manager shall carry insurance forms and fill one
out for any injury that may result in a claim.
These claims are to be forwarded to the parent and to the
President. Head Injury Forms shall be
filled out in duplicate for all head injuries (one copy to Parent/one copy to
President).
2. Any Player requiring doctors
care for any reason shall produce a signed release before participating in
practice or games.
3.
Managers will attempt to
insure that two adults are at each practice and that each adult is aware of the
location of the nearest phone. The
adult in charge at practice shall not leave until all Players are picked up.
4.
Practices and games shall
be canceled if there is any question of safety due to weather (lightning
storms), lack of adult supervision or other factors.
G. Parent Communication. Managers shall insure each parent receives
the Team Meeting Handout for Parents (see Section VII).
H. Practices. [1998 RWLL] During the
preseason, except in extenuating circumstances, AAA shall practice no less than
two (2) nor more than three (3) times per week. During the regular season, except in extenuating circumstances,
AAA teams shall meet no more than four (4) times per week (including practice
and games). TEAM BATTING PRACTICES
SCHEDULED AT PUBLIC OR PRIVATE FACILITIES SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS AN OFFICIAL
PRACTICE.
I. Equipment.
Equipment and uniforms must be properly cared for during the season and
cleaned before being turned in.
Managers may be required to put up a deposit for the safekeeping and return
of all League-issued equipment and uniforms; and may be required to pay a fee
for returning equipment or uniforms which are not thoroughly cleaned
beforehand. Also, Managers will be
asked to inventory equipment at the end of the season and make recommendations
for replacements.
J. PLAYERS WHO MISS THREE PRESEASON PRACTICES WITHOUT
NOTIFYING THE MANAGER. The Manager
must report to the Player Agent any Player who misses three preseason practices
without informing the Manager. The
Player Agent shall investigate and may replace the Player if the situation
warrants.
K. PLAYERS WHO WILL OR WHO MAY MISS THREE CONSECUTIVE
GAMES DUE TO INJURIES, MOVING, QUITTING, DISCIPLINE OR ANY OTHER REASON
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE MANAGER IS NOTIFIED. The Player Agent must be notified immediately of any Players who
have moved out of League boundaries, have quit, or who have suffered injuries
that may cause a Player to miss three or more consecutive regularly scheduled
games. Whether such Players must be
replaced on the roster shall be determined by the Player Agent and Board based
on consideration of Little League Rules and Regulations, replacement Player
availability, the point in the season when the vacancy occurred, and other
relevant factors.
L. Move-Ups.
Should a Player need to be "moved up," Managers and Coaches
shall do everything possible to encourage the Player to "move
up." Managers/Coaches who interact
with a Player or Parent with the intent of discouraging a Player from
"moving up" shall immediately be suspended from his/her position
pending Board review of the situation.
[1977 RWLL]
M. Resignation.
If a Manager finds that he/she is unable to fulfill his Manager
commitment, the Manager Committee must be notified immediately. The Manager Committee shall recommend a replacement
to the Board for appointment and approval.
N. Player Evaluation. Each Manager shall complete a rating/ranking evaluation for each
Player 8-11 years old. These shall be
retained by the Player Agent and shall be confidential. Next season's Managers shall have access to
this information, but they shall not be photocopied.
O. Line Ups.
Managers must insure Line-Up sheets are properly filled out and must
keep team statistics on number of innings each Player is in attendance, the
number of defensive innings he/she has played, the number of innings played in
the outfield versus the infield and the
number of "at bats" for each Player.
[1997 RWLL]
VII. TEAM MEETING HANDOUT FOR PARENTS
By registering your Player each
and every parent/guardian is automatically a Member of Redmond West Little League
with all the rights and responsibilities of membership. Little League is a volunteer driven
organization and as such, all parents are expected to actively
participate. LITTLE LEAGUE IS NOT A
BABY-SITTING SERVICE.
A. Absent Players. Managers of teams who
have Players who miss three consecutive preseason practices (without
notification from the Player) must immediately notify the Player Agent. PLAYERS WHO DO NOT SHOW UP FOR PRACTICE AND
WHO DO NOT NOTIFY THE MANAGER MAY BE DROPPED FROM THE ROSTER IF THE PLAYER
AGENT DETERMINES IT IS WARRANTED.
Similarly
team Managers who have Players who miss, or whom the Manager knows will miss,
three consecutive games
must immediately advise the Player Agent.
The Player Agent may recommend to the Board that such Player be replaced
on the team’s roster based on the circumstances unique to the Player in
question, consideration of Little League Rules and Regulations,
replacement-Player availability, the point in the season when the vacancy
occurs and other relevant factors.
Failure
by a Manager to report absences will result in disciplinary action. The Player Agent will make a recommendation
to the Board regarding need for Player replacement after talking to the parent. The intent is to allow the Player to continue
with the team when possible.
B. Communication. Parents whose Players miss practices and/or games are responsible
for notifying Managers in advance and making arrangements to obtain any
handouts or information they may have missed.
C. Safety.
Parents are expected to make arrangements to have their children picked
up promptly from practices. In
addition, parents who will not be in attendance at a game must make
arrangements for an adult in attendance to be responsible for their child
should the game be called early or should an injury occur. The Manager must be notified as to who the
adult is. Failure to comply may result
in the Player's release from the League.
D. Minimum Playing Times. Parents shall be advised of the minimum
playing requirements. They should
notify the Manager if they feel the requirements are not being adhered to. Managers who knowingly violate the minimum
playing time should be reported to the Player Agent. In discipline situations involving a Player, the Manager may decrease
the number of played innings below the required minimum but only if he has
notified the Player and the Player’s parents of his intentions and ONLY IF THE
MANAGER HAS THE EXPRESS APPROVAL OF THE PLAYER AGENT.
At
AAA each Player on the roster and in attendance at a game, except in
extenuating circumstances, shall not sit out more than two defensive innings,
regardless of the number of actual innings played. All Players are to gain experience at infield as well as outfield
positions. Managers shall make every
effort to assure that each Player averages at least two innings per game
attended over the course of the season at positions other than in the
outfield. Additionally, Managers must
assure that during a game of six or more innings, each player must play
at least two innings at positions other than in the outfield. [1998 RWLL]
E. Move-Ups.
Very important! The RWLL system,
as all affiliates of Little League Baseball, is built around the Majors
Level -- that is, the “Regular” Little League.
The assumption is that all Players aspire to play at the Majors Level,
and it is the objective of RWLL to provide the opportunity for each Player to
play at the Majors Level. In order to
maintain the structural integrity of the Majors level, and thereby the
integrity of RWLL, the “instructional Levels” -- Coast and AAA -- must provide
the pool of Player talent available to establish and retain throughout the
season the requisite full (12-Player) rosters. [1996 RWLL]
Openings
at the AAA level may be filled from the ranks of Sluggers. The Player Agent
will work with the Managers, Parents and Players in the move-up process. [1997 RWLL]
[It
is the League’s experience and that of Coaches who have been around for many
years, that the opportunity to move-up is invariably a successful experience
for the Players involved.]
F. Uniforms/Equipment. Players must wear League-provided uniforms
and use League-approved equipment.
Teams are not allowed to purchase or upgrade uniform components that are
provided by the league (such as hats, sleeves, jackets, etc.). Teams may not have individual sponsors or
ask parents to provide team funds, uniform embellishments, or other team extras
(except end-of-year party). Donations
must be made to the central RWLL treasury. No separate team or All-Star jackets
shall be offered. Teams may purchase
baseball pants, socks and generic “mock tees” or turtlenecks with no visible
logo or brand insignia. [2000 RWLL]
Equipment
and uniforms must be properly cared for during the season and thoroughly
cleaned before being turned in.
Uniforms are not to be altered in any way (i.e., do not cut off sleeves,
shorten the bodies, etc.). The Manager
may be assessed a cleaning charge for equipment/uniforms not thoroughly
cleaned. Managers will be asked to
inventory equipment at the end of the season and make recommendations for
replacements.
G. Insurance.
The League only has insurance at (and permission to use) certain school
and park facilities. Practices shall
only take place at authorized locations and at authorized times. Insurance is secondary in nature. Managers have insurance forms. Completed forms must be turned in to the
President.
H. Bylaws.
Bylaws, financial and other such information can be obtained from the
League Secretary or President. Parents
shall be informed as to the dates and times of the General Meetings for the
season.
I. Practices.
Teams are not allowed to begin practicing until after the official
Equipment handout Date established by the Board each season. The Board has determined that official or
unofficial practices shall not start until on or after March 1 for several
reasons: starting earlier puts pressure
on Players and parents who have basketball/skiing commitments, it gives certain
teams an unfair edge, and in most cases Manager/Coach training has not been
completed. [1997 RWLL]
1.
During the preseason, except in extenuating circumstances AAA teams shall
practice no less than two (2) nor more than three (3) times per week
2. During the regular season,
except in extenuating circumstances,
AAA teams shall meet no more than four (4) times per week (including
practice and games). [1997 RWLL]
TEAM
BATTING PRACTICES SCHEDULED AT PUBLIC OR PRIVATE FACILITIES SHALL BE CONSIDERED
AS AN OFFICIAL PRACTICE AND SHALL COUNT IN THE TOTAL NUMBER FOR THE WEEK. [1996 RWLL]
2. "Time out" shall be
used in discipline situations. The
Board must approve other forms of discipline, such as lap running, pushups, or
any other method. Discipline methods
designed to belittle or cause embarrassment are not allowed. Moreover, reducing
game playing time below the required number of innings is not allowed without
prior approval of the Player Agent and notification to the Player and the
Player’s Parents. PARENTS SHALL RECEIVE
A COPY OF THE TEAM'S DISCIPLINE PLAN.
3. While attendance at practices is
not mandatory, Parents and Players must recognize that Player improvement and
ability to work as a team come from practice and game situations. However, consistently missing practices
and/or games may lead to a Player being dropped from the roster (see “A”
above).
4. Managers may consult with the
Player Agent regarding Players who miss a significant number of practices
and/or games to determine if the Player should be replaced on the roster.
J. Park Maintenance. Each field preparer shall be trained in proper care of the
field. Before the team leaves, it is
the Manager's responsibility to insure that the Parents/Players have cleaned
the stands and the dugout.
K. Conflicts.
Managers must advise Parents and Players of their willingness and desire
to work with Players who are having problems with either the Manager, a Coach,
another Player, or anything else. If
Players cannot resolve problems through their Manager then they understand they
may contact the Player Agent.
L.
Volunteers. Little
League is a volunteer driven organization.
All parents are expected to volunteer in some capacity at their Team
and/or League level in addition to park cleanup.
M. Respect for League Volunteers. All Parent and Player Members must treat
Umpires, Scorekeepers, concession workers and each other with respect. Complaints should be directed privately to
the Chief Umpire, the Head Scorekeeper, Complex Manager on duty or
President. Everyone should respect the
fact that all positions are held by volunteers, not paid professionals.
N. Respect for Players. All cheering must be positive (comments such as "She can't
hit it," "She can't throw strikes," or "He's a
looker," etc., are not allowed).
Fans who are negative towards the Umpires, the Managers or Players may
be asked to leave the park.
O. Manager/Coach Evaluations. Players and Parents will be asked to fill
out evaluations on as many Coaches and Managers as they wish at the end of the
season.
P. Player Release.
All AAA Players are
automatically released from their teams and the teams disbanded at the end of
each season.
Q. Post-Season Tournaments. The Board of Directors has studied the idea
of post season tournaments at the AAA level many times and consistently come to
the conclusion that it is detrimental to the “instructional” intent at this level. THERE ARE NO RWLL SPONSORED POST SEASON
TOURNAMENTS AT AAA.
R. Standings. Team standings are not kept at the AAA level.
S. Physician’s Care. PLAYERS WHO ARE UNDER THE
CARE OF A DOCTOR OR WHO SUFFER ANY MEDICAL IRREGULARITIES MUST PRESENT A
STATEMENT FROM THE DOCTOR AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICES AND GAMES.
T. Injuries.
Managers should notify parents of all practice and game injuries.
U. Rule Changes.
Proposals for rule changes must be submitted to the Board in writing by
November 30 (P.O. Box 273, Redmond, Washington 98073-0273).
VIII. SCOREKEEPER
A. Scorekeeper Responsibilities Before the Game.
1. Bring a copy of the "Local
Playing Rules" and a copy of the “Little League Baseball Official
Regulations and Playing Rules” in order to reference specifically those rules
regarding pitching limitations, substitutions, called regulation games, improper
batters, trips to the mound, minimum playing time, ejection, scorekeeper role
in protests and tie regulation games. [1996
RWLL]
2. At AAA the game time limit
always applies whether or not there is a game to follow. No new inning may start after 2 hours and
play must stop immediately at 2 hours and 30 minutes.
3. Check the "Pitchers
Book" for your level of play and note all innings pitched in the last
seven- (7) days by both teams.
4. Score books are provided to the
scorekeepers by the AAA managers.
5. Obtain the white copy of the
Line-Up sheet from each Manager at least 15 minutes prior to the game.
a. Verify that the Manager has correctly listed the
pitchers who have pitched in the last seven (7) days and that the calculations
for remaining innings is correct (see rules regarding pitching
eligibility). Manager should also list
everyone he/she anticipates may pitch although the Manager may select someone
not listed.
b. Verify that the Manager has accounted for every
rostered Player either by listing him/her in the line up or as absent. Insure that Manager has listed all Player's full name, uniform
number and starting position. AAA 4th
outfielder is listed as position "10." Managers at AAA may not
skip Players in the batting roster because they showed up late for the game,
unless they have approval from the Player Agent and the parents and Player have
been notified. [1996 RWLL]
6. Somewhere on the score sheet
note your name and phone number and the names of the Umpires.
7. If you are score keeping for a
"resumed called tie game," review the pitching and Player eligibility
rules outlined in the local rules to determine eligible Players and pitchers.
8. Obtain scoreboard control from
Majors score booth.
B. Scorekeeper Responsibilities During the Game.
1. Your watch is the official watch
for time keeping purposes. If you do
not have a watch ask the Umpire if he/she has a watch or locate a watch from a
neutral source. The Scorekeeper and
Plate Umpire shall adhere strictly to the time limits. When a game reaches its time limit the
Scorekeeper shall notify the Plate Umpire and the Umpire shall not allow any
new play to occur -- not even a single pitch.
[1996 RWLL]
2. Keep track of the balls and
strikes. Umpires (especially at the
lower levels) will rely on you to help out with the count if they lose
track. However the Plate Umpire’s pitch
count takes priority over all others (including base umpires and the
Scorekeepers). [1997 RWLL]
3. Note the progress of play,
keeping track of the outs and runs. In
AAA notify Umpire when four (4) runs are scored.
4. Record pitching substitutions
and insure that pitchers are legal and have not exceeded their limit for the
week. When marking innings pitched in
the game, list the pitcher and then note the innings he/she pitched. One pitch constitutes an inning so it is
possible to charge more than one pitcher for the same inning.
5. Record "trips to the
mound." If a defensive Manager
calls for time out and confers with pitcher it is charged as a "trip to
the mound" against the pitcher. On
the third "trip to the mound" in an inning notify the Umpire (the
pitcher must be removed). Injuries are
not "trips to the mound" (see Rule 8.06). Managers may not make a 3rd trip while the same
batter is up and Manager may only confer with pitcher and catcher.
6. Record Player substitutions.
a. Since you
are batting through the roster at AAA you need to know: (1) who is in the game and who is out of the
game and (2) whether the defensive Player is in the outfield or infield. Number 1-2-3-4-5-6 under each Player and
then each inning, as the Manager tells you the uniform numbers of who is
sitting out, cross out the inning.
Also, under the appropriate inning number for each Player, record when
the Player is in the outfield. [1997
RWLL]
b. Check uniform number as batter comes to the plate. If wrong batter, and the batter is still
"up" notify the Umpire. If
the wrong batter completes his/her time at bat, do not say anything. It is up to the opposing Manager to notice
it and make an appeal. Be familiar with
the improper batter [1996 RWLL]
7. If a protest is lodged, Umpire
must stop game while you note the position number each defensive Player is
playing and note the position of all offensive Players, who is at-bat, the
count on the batter, the number of outs, etc.
C. Scorekeeper Responsibilities After the Game.
1. If there is a regulation tie
game (see called regulation games in National Rules) you must note where
all Players are at the time the game is called (just as you would for a
protested game).
2. If “incomplete game” (e.g.,
called due to weather or darkness) and one full inning has been completed, you
must note where all Players are at the time the game is called (this game will
resume later at precisely the point at which it was called). [1997 based on 1996 LL rule change]
3. Complete the "Line-Up"
sheet by noting innings pitched in this game, by noting the number of defensive
innings each Player played, and by noting the outcome of the game.
4.
Have the Manager sign
the "Line-Up" sheet. (He/She
is verifying that the outcome is correct and that the innings pitched are
correct. He/She may check defensive innings
played at a later date.)
5. Record
the innings pitched in the pitcher’s book and file the “Line-Up” sheet in the
proper place. Return the scorebook to
the manager.
6. Return scoreboard control to the Majors score booth
and empty your trash.
D. At
AAA scorekeepers must report to the Head Scorekeeper or to the President, any
players who sat out more than two (2) defensive innings or, during a game of
six or more innings, any Players who did not play at least two innings at
positions other than in the outfield. [1998
RWLL]
IX. UMPIRES
A. Umpires should make every effort to show up at least
ten (10) minutes prior to game time. If
an Umpire knows he/she will be late or absent, he/she must notify the home team
Manager.
B. If a minimum of two (2) Umpires are not available or
present ten (10) minutes before game time, a League official may provide
coverage by redistributing the Umpires who show for other games. Coverage shall first be provided for Majors,
then Coast, then AAA. Once Umpires are
redistributed then the following shall occur:
1. If one scheduled Umpire shows up
then the home team shall provide a first base Umpire.
2. If no Umpires show up then the
home team shall provide a home plate Umpire and the visiting team shall provide
an outfield Umpire. By mutual agreement
the Umpires may take the positions they are most comfortable with.
C. Umpires must notify President of unsportsmanlike
conduct on the part of a Player, fan, Manager or Coach per LL Rules 9.05.
D. Umpires should make every effort to keep the games
moving, particularly if there is a game to follow. The Umpire, however, shall not rush the Scorekeeper while he/she
is recording substitutions.
Section Two
X. AAA PLAYER ASSESSMENT
A. All
Minors Players shall be automatically released from their teams and all teams
disbanded at the conclusion of each season.
All AAA candidates will participate in the same scheduled AAA-Player
Assessments together, and shall be drafted to AAA teams along with any 10-year
olds who were not drafted to Coast or Majors teams. THE BOARD SHALL INSURE THAT AT LEAST ONE MINOR ASSESSMENT
OPPORTUNITY IS AVAILABLE FOR PLAYERS DESIRING PLACEMENT ON A COAST OR AAA
TEAM. ATTENDANCE SHOULD BE STRONGLY
ENCOURAGED BUT IS NOT MANDATORY.
B. Eight-year olds may try out for AAA or Coast, but
placement is not guaranteed. For 8-year
olds to play at AAA or Coast, they MUST attend Player Assessments, there MUST
be “slots available”, and they MUST then be drafted to a team. Eleven-year olds may play AAA only if they
participate in AAA Player Assessments and the Player Agent and all Coast
Managers agree. (This provision is only
for an exceptionally “weak” Player and/or where medical or other safety reasons
dictate such.). [1998 RWLL]
XI. TEAM SIZE
AAA teams should carry no more than 13 Players and shall not
carry less than 12 Players without the approval of the Player Agent. [1997
RWLL]
XII. AAA
TEAM FORMATION
A. After enough AAA Managers have been secured, each appointed
AAA Manager may pre-select one Coach --
deemed qualified to coach in RWLL and approved by the Board --who is committed
to coaching at the stated level. A AAA
Manager may not pre-select a Coach who is the parent of a 10 or 11 year old who
played AAA the prior season. The goal
is to encourage Players to move up and to discourage parents from holding
Players down a level. [1997 RWLL]
B. AAA
teams shall be drafted using the same method (serpentine) used by the Majors as
outlined in the Little League Baseball Operating Manual (The Draft System, Plan A”, as described for
leagues in their first year of operation).
Age parity shall not be mandated (i.e., it is not required that, say,
each AAA team have the same number of 10-year olds on their rosters). Managers shall draw numbers to establish
the order of selecting Players.
Placement of optioned players shall occur AFTER the order of draft has
been determined. [2000 RWLL] For
illustration, the Manager drawing number one makes the following player
selections: 1st choice in round one,
the last choice in round two, the 1st choice in round three, and so on. The Manager drawing the last number
(determined by the number of teams) makes the last choice in round one, the
first choice in round two, and so on until all rounds are completed. [1996 RWLL]
C. THE PLAYER AGENT SHALL ANNOUNCE
THE DATE AND TIME AT WHICH MANAGERS MAY NOTIFY PLAYERS OF ASSIGNMENT. PREMATURE NOTIFICATION WILL CAUSE THE BOARD
TO TAKE DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST THE MANAGER AND/OR COACH INVOLVED.
XIII. TRADING
PLAYERS
At
the conclusion of the Draft the Player Agent shall allow 10 minutes for trades
to be made. All trades shall be made
through and with the approval of the Player Agent. [1996 RWLL]
XIV. FILLING
AAA VACANCIES
A. Managers must notify the Player
Agent of any Player who misses three (3) preseason practices without notifying
Manager or who misses or will miss three (3) consecutive games. Player Agent decides if replacement is
necessary.
B. Should a Manager fail to notify
the Player Agent of a potential vacancy as outlined above, disciplinary action
may be taken and the Player Agent shall immediately take steps to determine if
it is appropriate to remove and replace the Player on the team’s roster. [1997 RWLL]
C. The Player Agent shall determine
if it is necessary or desirable to fill the vacancy. Coast vacancies shall be filled from the pool of AAA
players. AAA vacancies may be filled
by moving a Player from another AAA team or by bringing up a Slugger level
Player.
NOTE: The
Player Agent will make every effort to avoid moving up more than two (2)
Players from any one AAA team during the season, so as to not unfairly reduce
that team’s ability to be competitive but it is conceivable that a third Player
from the same team could be moved up if deemed appropriate, and with Board
approval. [1997 RWLL]
Section Three
XV. RULES
THAT AFFECT PLAYING THE GAME
|
Please note that all rules are subject to the
interpretation of the "intent of the rule" by the Board of
Directors. It should be understood
that the accumulation of words is always open to interpretation; therefore,
the Board reserves the right to do so.
Recommendations for rule changes may be submitted in writing to the
Board by November 30 for consideration for the following season. |
A. Team Responsibilities
1. Home Team. (Occupies
third base dugout)
a. Provide Scorekeeper.
b. Provide two game balls plus towels.
c. Bring a copy of the Local Rules and the National
Rules.
d. Prepare the field.
e. If
there is no game to follow, replace base plugs and put bases and equipment
away. If game is rained out everything
must be put away. Bases for fields #5
and #6 go in lower shed.
f. Cover mound and home plate.
g. Clean stands, dugout, score booths.
2. Visitor and Home Team.
a. Clean stands, dugout, score booths.
\
B. General Rules
|
It must be understood that Coast and AAA are
“Instructional Leagues”; learning baseball, good sportsmanship and having fun
are the guidelines by which the Board will base any decisions. The desire and intent is that the program
provide a positive experience for all Players, regardless of their
ability. All cheering shall be of a
positive nature, directed only to one’s own team. Umpires are volunteers and are to be treated with respect -- mistreatment
of Umpires will not be tolerated. |
1. On-field Discipline. It is the Manager's responsibility to
maintain order in the dugout and to keep the Players in the dugout. Per the Little League regulation as of
1996, there shall be no on-deck batter.
Only one person shall be in the cage at any one time and that Player
shall not swing a bat. [1996 LL]
2. Playing Time. Each Player in attendance at a game,
except in extenuating circumstances (if for disciplinary reasons, Manager must
follow procedures outlined in Section One, VII. D., “Minimum Playing Times”, p.
10) shall not sit out more than two defensive innings, regardless of the number
of official innings played. All Players
are to gain experience at infield, as well as outfield positions. Managers shall make every effort to assure
that each Player averages at least two innings per game attended over the
course of the season at positions other than in the outfield. [1996 RWLL] In addition, in a game of
six or more innings, the Manager shall assure that each Player plays two
innings of the game at positions other than in the outfield.[1998 RWLL]
3. Time Limit. AAA games shall adhere to strict time
limits for all games, whether there is a game to follow or not [1997
RWLL]. No new inning may start after 2
hours have elapsed and the game must be stopped at 2 hours and 30 minutes. The Scorekeeper shall record the Official
Start Time of the current game, and shall notify the Plate Umpire at the
precise moment that time limits are reached.
A new inning begins at the
moment the third out is made on the Home Team.
When the game reaches its time limit, the Scorekeeper shall inform the
Plate Umpire and the Plate Umpire shall allow any play in progress to
complete and then SHALL IMMEDIATELY CALL THE GAME WITHOUT ALLOWING ANY
ADDITIONAL PLAY, INCLUDING EVEN A SINGLE PITCH TO THE CURRENT BATTER. For record-keeping purposes, that batter’s
“at-bat” shall be recorded just as it would be in a case where a final out of a
game were called on a runner while a batter was at the plate. The outcome of the game shall be determined
by Official Little League Rules 4.10, 4.11 and 4.12. [1996 RWLL]
4. Weather Delays. If, due to weather conditions, the field
must be prepared prior to play (e.g., fence blown down or large puddles
of water on the infield), on-field warm-ups and/or drills may be canceled so
that the game can get underway.
5. Line Ups. Completed white Line-Up sheets, including
Players' full name and number, shall be given to the Official Scorekeepers 15
minutes prior to game time. All
pitchers who pitched in the last seven (7) days must be listed and any Players
who may pitch in the current game should be listed (an unlisted pitcher may be
used, but must be checked against "pitchers book"). One copy of the Line-Up sheet goes to the
opposing Manager and one is retained.
At the end of the game the Manager must sign the "Line-Up"
sheet indicating that the outcome of the game and the innings pitched are
correct. He or she may check the
defense innings played at a later date, but must insure information is correct
within ten (10) days of game.
6. Batter Out of Order. Scorekeepers at AAA may notify Umpires of a batter out of order
provided the improper batter is still "at bat." Once the improper batter completes his/her
at-bat, then the "improper batter" rule shall take effect and only a
Manager may call it to the Umpire's attention.
7. Batting Cages. When there are two (2) Majors games,
Majors shall have the cages. The
twoVisitors teams have the cage one and
one half (11/2) hours prior to the scheduled start for 30 minutes. The Home Teams may then have the cage for 30
minutes. If there is one Majors game
and one Coast Game the Majors and Coast teams shall share cages as above. Players shall not swing bats while outside
the cage. One adult from each team must
be present inside the cage and one must be present outside the cage any time
the cage is in use. [2000 RWLL]
8. Warm-up Times. For weeknight games, the visiting team will
begin infield warm-up 25 minutes before game time and be off the field at 15
minutes before game time, at which time the home team will take the field for
10 minutes. At 5 minutes before game
time, the field crew and Umpires will do final preparation of the field. For weekend games, the time available before
the game starts will be split between the two teams for warm-ups. In either case, no team will start infield
warm-up before 25 minutes before game time.
REMINDER: No Manager or Coach
(or any non-Player) at Majors, Coast or AAA may warm-up the pitcher at any time
per Official Little League Regulations and Rules.
9. Rain-outs and Games Called
Prior to Being Regulation Games.
When a game is "rained out" or the field is otherwise declared
unplayable, the Master Scheduler shall be immediately notified. The first available rain-out date on the
schedule as determined by the Master Scheduler will be used, even if this
results in a team playing games on back-to-back days or playing three games in
a week (four games in a week shall not be scheduled unless absolutely
necessary).
If a game is called before it
has become a regulation game, but after one (1) or more innings have been
completed, it shall be resumed exactly where it left off. In such case, all records, including
pitching records, shall be counted. [LL
1996]
Responsibility for ensuring that
the game is properly rescheduled shall rest with the Managers of the teams
involved, in conjunction with the Master Scheduler. [1997 RWLL]
10. Not Enough Players. The following is the league policy regarding rescheduling a game
when one or both teams cannot field 9 Players at the start of the game.
a. If a Team cannot field 9 Players, that Team shall forfeit
the game. [1998 RWLL]
Exception: Managers who
have advance notice that they cannot field a team due to a school or League
sponsored event, must immediately, and no later than two (2) weeks prior to
the event, notify the opposing Manager and the Master Scheduler. [1997
RWLL] In addition he must provide to
the League President the names of the players who must miss the game and the
reasons. [1999 RWLL] After consulting
with the League President, the Master Scheduler shall release the game slot to
the pool of "rain-out" slots.
In addition, the game must be re-scheduled within two weeks of the
original game. [1998 RWLL]
Each team involved in the game
in question shall be allowed one rescheduling opportunity as determined by the
Master Scheduler. If a team cannot
field enough Players for the game in question twice in a row, then that team
shall forfeit the game. (Example: Team A cannot field Players for the original
game, Team B cannot field Players for the rescheduled game, Team B cannot field
Players for the next rescheduling opportunity, then Team B forfeits.) [1998 RWLL]
11. Tie Game If a AAA game is tied at the end of the 6th
inning, play may continue until the
time limit has been reached. It will
not be resumed thereafter.
12. Early Weekday Games. In May and June if it becomes necessary to schedule early weekday
games because of excessive rain-outs, these games may start no earlier than
4:30 p.m. However, these teams must be
off the field no later than 6:00 p.m., no matter what time the game starts and
even if play would otherwise continue under the time limits rule set forth
above.
13. Protective Gear. All male Players are required to wear an athletic supporter and a
baseball cup protector. All catchers
are required to also wear a mask (equipped with a “dangling type” throat protector), shin guards, and a chest
protector in addition to the cup and supporter.
14. Roster as Batting Order. A team's complete roster shall constitute
the batting order for each game (see Regulation VIII, Rule 4.04.)
a. In the case of a Player who reaches base safely and must be
removed from the game due to injury, his place on the bases shall be taken by
the last Player above him in the batting order who made an out.
b. A batter, unable to complete an "at-bat" due to
injury, will be replaced by the next Player on the roster. This Player shall assume the count of the
injured batter.
c. A Player who is obviously injured, ill, or who leaves the
park prior to the conclusion of the game shall be removed from the line-up
without penalty and may not re-enter the game.
d. Players suffering a "temporary illness,"
"injury" or "other problem" who cannot take a turn at bat
shall cause an out to be recorded, unless the Opposing Manager agrees to
"skip" the batter. Opposing
Managers shall agree to skips in cases where the injury is clearly temporary
(bee stings, wind knocked out of Player, etc.)
Managers shall keep in mind that the goal is to have kids playing ball
and that batters shall not be skipped simply because they are
"stressed."
16. Modified "Free" Substitution. So long as the format of the complete roster
being the batting order is used, the following shall apply:
All
substitutions must be in the defensive line up no later than the third inning.
No
starter or substitute shall sit out more than two defensive innings, whether
consecutive or interrupted. Any Player
(starter or substitute) may re-enter the game on defense, provided that a
pitcher may not re-enter the game as a pitcher, and provided that no Player may
re-enter to take the place of any other Player who has already sat out two
defensive innings. Penalty: The League shall apply the same penalty as provided
for the stricter playing/substitution rules for Majors -- see Regulation IV (i)
of the Official Regulations and Playing Rules.
[1996 RWLL]
3. Managers must notify Scorekeeper
of all pitching changes and shall inform Scorekeeper as to who is sitting out
each inning. After announcing the
pitching changes and who is sitting out, the Manager shall announce whether
each defensive Player is at an “outfield” or “non-outfield” position. [1996 RWLL]
4. On-field
Discipline. It is the Manager's
responsibility to maintain order in the dugout and to keep the Players in the
dugout. Per the Little League
regulation as of 1996, there shall be no on-deck batter. Only one person shall be in the cage at any
one time and that Player shall not swing a bat. [1996 LL]
5. Pitching
Limitations.
5.1 Pitchers may
pitch a maximum of two (2) innings per game and/or day, and six per week. One pitch to a batter is considered to
constitute an “inning pitched.” [1998
RWLL]
5.2 [2004
RWLL] Modified Coach Pitch. Each
batter shall begin their at-bat with a player-pitcher from the opposing
team. If the batter receives four balls
(i.e. a normal condition for a walk), the batter does not walk and a
coach-pitcher from the batting team will pitch the remainder of the current
batter’s at bat (until he strikes out swinging or on a called third strike, or
hits the ball in play). The
player-pitcher as a fielder must remain within an area somewhat close to the
pitching rubber where he normally would be after delivering a pitch. This area
will be defined by a circle drawn during field preparation around the mound. Strikes (called and swinging) will be
counted during both player and coach pitching.
If a batter is hit by the coach-pitched ball, there is no base-on-balls
awarded. The coach-pitcher shall pitch
from a position no closer to home plate than one foot from the base of the
pitchers mound. The position is to be
marked during field preparation by a chalk line. A coach-pitcher may pitch from any point behind the line including
the pitching rubber. If a coach-pitcher
needs to throw from his knees he may do so within the framework of the
above. The coach-pitcher shall be
replaced if they cannot throw strikes within 5 pitches to the batter.
(a) The coach-pitcher must not interfere with the
defensive play of the ball.
(b) There is no stealing of any base by any base
runners on a passed ball by the catcher, on any pitch delivered by a
coach-pitcher.
(c) After a batter has completed his at-bat against
a coach-pitcher, the coach-pitcher returns to the dugout and the regular
player-pitcher proceeds pitching to the next batter.
6. Balks will be called
without any penalty for AAA.
7. Run Limit. The offensive team shall bat through the
batting order until it makes three outs or until it four (4) runs in its
half of an inning.
8. Called Games. Games called due to darkness, rain, time, or
other considerations shall be considered regulation if three (3) full innings
have been completed. Any such
“called-game,” if at least one (1) full inning has been completed but less than
three full innings, shall be resumed from the exact point at which the game was
called. [1996 LL]
9. Rescheduled Games. Rainouts, called non-regulation games and
continued tie games which do not affect seeding for city playoffs (Coast only),
do not necessarily need to be played off.
However each team shall be guaranteed a minimum of 12 games.
10.
Season. The Board shall
determine the AAA season and number of games.
Depending on the number of teams, it is desirable that the regular
season consists of each team playing each other team twice -- or a total of
approximately 14 to 18 games. If there
were 8 AAA teams, for example, the regular season would consist of 14 games.
Making
up rained-out preseason games is not required.
Managers may agree to make up a rained out preseason game at their
discretion and in consultation with the Master Scheduler.
The Managers shall use the
preseason games for experimentation.
However, the Little League rules requiring specific rest periods for
pitchers shall be strictly adhered to.
11. Base Coaches.
At AAA both the first base and third base coaches may be
adult/coaches. [1997 RWLL]
12. Ten Players on Defense. The defensive team shall play ten Players on
defense, four of whom shall take outfield positions. The intent of this rule is
to give Players more playing time. Outfielders shall play the outfield. No outfielder shall, for example, play
"short-second.” If one team only
has nine Players, then the other team may still play 10 Players in the field.
13. Stealing
Home. [2002 RWLL] A runner may only advance to home plate
during a play in which a ball is batted into play. This includes the continuation of any
play, even if the batter has reached base safely or has been put out.
A runner may not advance to home plate on a
passed ball, wild pitch or a pick off throw (errant or otherwise) to any base
including third. This rule does not
protect the runner on third base from being put out by the defense during a
pick-off attempt. All other relative
baseball and softball rules regarding leading off and returning to base still
shall apply.
The intent of this rule is to require the offense to
earn runs during plays where the ball has been put into play rather than taking
advantage of errors by the defense.
STANDINGS
No official league standings shall be
kept. Additionally, there will be no
participation by AAA Teams in post-season Tournament play. Moreover, 9 and 10-year old Players at AAA
are not eligible for post-season Tournament Teams. [1998 RWLL]
XVII. RECOGNITION
A. A budgeted amount for recognition may be
presented for approval to the General Membership as part of the budget.
1. Adult Umpires may be provided
with hats, shirts and clickers. Youth
Umpires may be presented with honorariums provided state and federal guidelines
regarding honorariums are followed.
2. The League may purchase pins for
Manager/Coach recognition.
3. The League may budget an amount
up to $5.00 per Board Member and Chairperson per year served to provide
recognition in the form of a plaque, certificate, pin, medallion, flowers, or
other form of recognition as may be appropriate.
B. Teams may separately collect
funds for end of season parties and present items of recognition to Players, Coaches,
Managers and other volunteers (see Little League Regulation XII). Items of recognition shall not be made on
the basis of skill, and must be nominal in value.